AWS (Amazon Web Services) Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following best describes batch computing?

1. Interactive user tasks with maximized human input

2. General term for frequently executed programs

3. A real-time compute service

4. A form of serverless deployment

The correct answer is: General term for frequently executed programs

Batch computing refers to a processing method where data or tasks are collected, processed, and executed as a single unit or batch rather than in real-time or continuously. This method is typically used for jobs that do not require immediate output and can be scheduled during off-peak times to optimize resource usage. The choice describing batch computing as a general term for frequently executed programs is accurate, as batch jobs often involve running the same processes repeatedly, like data processing jobs, report generation, or ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) operations in data warehousing. These jobs are typically automated and can handle large volumes of data efficiently without user intervention after they are started. Other options presented do not accurately reflect the nature of batch processing. While interactive user tasks that require maximum human input do not fit the batch processing model, real-time compute services focus on immediate data processing and responsiveness. Serverless deployment does not inherently define batch processing as it refers more to a cloud model that abstracts infrastructure management, although it can be used with batch jobs. Thus, the characterization of batch computing as a term for frequently executed programs precisely captures its essence.